Steamers of Naples — Restaurant in Florida

A "Level 8 Google Map Guide," I have NEVER give 1 star b/c I believe in positive reinforcement, not complaining. However, this experience deserves a ZERO rating - it was THE WORST customer service (more accurately, "disservice") dining experience EVER. From the moment we arrived just after 1PM on Sat., Jan. 5, 2019, we were not greeted or seated (nor were they busy?) - so seated ourselves at an empty table & we were OK with that!!

My mother, retired mid-70s professional, ordered gumbo with no rice (diabetic low-carb necessity), yet waitress brought it out with rice IN it. Mother ate it anyway, scooping rice aside. Sister (50s, attorney) ordered fried grouper, waitress never returned to table, so sis went to another table to get ketchup for herself. My assumption was the waitress may have been having a bad day, so withheld judgment. Until...

THE WORST PART: This ruthlessly rude, haughty, obnoxious, condescending, woman (owner? manager? waitress?) publicly humiliated my mother worse than THE worst customer service experience we've ever experienced in ANY dining establishment in and outside the US. (This woman has short hair, glasses - we chose NOT to take pics for this review.)

After finishing our meal, Mom went to the cash register to pay. Put her AmEx card down with the check at counter. The same woman, at CASH REGISTER (DIDN'T MAKE EYE CONTACT with AND DIDN'T ask for another card or cash!?!) very loudly admonished our hostess/Mom, who was standing at the cash register counter:

"We don't take this!! You'll have to pay cash next time you come in here!"

Ironically, Mom had more than enough cash with her to have paid, IF requested or told, but that was not an option. The woman went away, then came back and threw Mother's AX card at her on the counter and stomped away.

Please note: This employee/manager/owner/whatever/whomever she was - DID NOT ASK FOR CASH OR OTHER TYPE OF credit card - moreover, didn't make eye contact with or speak to her - was utterly dismissive, rude, and turned her back on my mom without giving her a chance to respond. Wow. This reprehensible treatment of a patron who pays for food/service has now earned my LOWEST rating ever, anywhere, for customer (dis)service.

This woman was not merely 'having a bad day' b/c she seemed quite comfortable with this haughty arrogance in her attitude, and was both loud and obnoxious with her words directed to my Mom (with zero eye contact), loudly so that all other patrons/employees could hear.

My Mom (all of us) were humiliated and this experience ruined our day to the point we're still talking about it with family and neighbors into this evening!

We're originally from New Orleans, and went to Steamers today b/c they serve gumbo/seafood - but rest assured, the food was NOT remarkable on any level, and any chain restaurant like a Pincher's or Red Lobster would've been equally tasty, if not better. At least at those chains the employees are trained somewhat in basic customer service skills. Moreover, many restaurants put up SIGNS at entrance to restaurant saying "Cash ONLY" and/or "AX not accepted" - giving PATRONS (who, FWIW, make THIS WOMAN a living!$!) an opportunity to prepare to pay check appropriately, CURRENCY OR OTHER CC, and not be singled at and yelled at in a restaurant in front of other patrons and employees... so wrong on many levels.

Needless to say, we WON'T be back. But we WILL be sure to tell friends & colleagues in Naples, where we've lived since 1987. What's the old Dale Carnegie adage/rule about customer service, and people tell many more people about bad experiences than good ones?? Oh - and the Dale Carnegie Golden Rule, "MOPFI? (Make Other People Feel Important)"?!?

Maybe Steamers of Naples will be inspired to sponsor a remedial course in ELEMENTARY customer service for this woman. Better yet, perhaps she should change industries to one where she does not interact with the public... or retire already & not ruin decent people's day!

Shame on HER & STEAMERS for having her there to treat ppl...

A solid four stars! - this is the menu one sees across the six New England states, and most certainly up & down the seaboard. It's no brain tease, therefore, that tonight's clientele consisted of senior New England accents. Dare I say I even heard something approaching Boston Brahmin in the fore of the interior dining room.

Enough of the waxing - on with the critique:

Clam chowder (NE, naturally, although I noticed Manhattan was offered as well (my Dad winces when I share with him my own occasional appreciation of the tomato-based stew)). It was good, really good - but my dad's commentary was dead-on. It was a bit too thick. He proceeded that the Canadian Maritime provinces tended towards a thinner stock - and he (and I) prefers that.

1 lb. of Maine Steamer Clams (market price $13.95). Good - yet this has little to do with the house - missing the steam-time would be the mark of amateurs and they nailed the steamtime like pros. Served with drawn butter.

2 orders of fried clam bellies. Try getting that ANYWHERES outside of New England. Good luck! They were quite good.

Calamari App. Perfectly coated and fried.

Coconut-breaded shrimp. I didn't try them - but they looked dark to me. Daughter enjoyed them nonetheless.

Can you believe I didn't take a single picture?

My Aunt Elaine & Uncle Buddy get credit for our being aware of Steamers. We're spending the week in the old haunts of Naples, so the clock is ticking to review as many of the good places...

As far as my Mom and I are concerned, this is the best seafood restaurant in the whole city of Naples, and my Mom's lived here for over 32 years. To start with, the owner Barry is from Brockton, MA and he ships all of his seafood daily, directly from Maine. We thoroughly enjoyed the scrumptious Littleneck Steamers in a garlic butter broth. They were so fresh and sweet. My Mom had the Baked Haddock and I had the Fish Tacos. Both were fresh and delicious. The only thing that I feel that the tacos needed was some guacamole-type sauce, however without any sauce, you got to taste how fresh the fish (Snapper) was. Our Server was Michelle, Barry's sister, and she was so nice and a great server. Barry, himself, stopped by at our table to say hello to my Mom and stayed talking with us for awhile. He informed us that they are excited about celebrating the restaurant's 20th yr in business this year and that they are grateful to be always continuously busy. The prices are fair too. Next time, we're getting...